Zamir picked as next IDF chief of staff, IDF on high alert in West Bank post-prisoner release
Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon, and Keith Siegel return home after 484 days in Hamas captivity • IDF opens fire on armed group in Syrian Golan
Rafah border crossing opens for first time since May to allow exit of Palestinian patients to Egypt
The Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza opened on Saturday afternoon for the first time since May to allow the exit of Palestinian patients to Egypt.
Go to the full article >>Yarden Bibas arrives at Sheba Medical Center
Yarden Bibas arrived at the Sheba Medical Center on Saturday following his release from Gaza captivity, the Health Ministry announced.
After spending 484 days captive in Gaza, the ministry said that medical teams and professionals had prepared the hospital to provide for his physical and psychological needs.
The ministry urged that members of the public show sensitivity and respect for the privacy of the returning hostages.
PMO celebrates return of hostages, commits to freeing all abductees
After the release of three hostages on Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated the government's commitment to returning all the abductees from Gaza.
Sharing a biblical verse from Jeremiah, Chapter 15, Verse 21, the PMO said the government would accompany all the hostages in their journey to be reunited with their loved ones.
"And I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the hand of the oppressors," the statement quoted.
“Welcome home, Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel. Together with all the citizens of Israel and many around the world, my wife and I embrace you as you return home,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Telegram.
“Our thoughts are now with Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, as well as all our hostages. We will continue working to bring them home. Am Israel Chai."
Buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons arrive in West Bank's Ramallah
Buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons arrived on Saturday in West Bank's Ramallah, live television footage showed.
Israeli gov't welcomes freed hostages, reiterates commitment to free all captives
After the release of three hostages on Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated the government's commitment to returning all the abductees from Gaza.
Sharing a biblical verse from Jeremiah, Chapter 15, Verse 21, the PMO said the government would accompany all the hostages in their journey to be reunited with their loved ones.
"And I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the hand of the oppressors," the statement quoted.
Yarden Bibas, with family, heads to hopsital
Former hostage Yarden Bibas is heading to the hospital on board an Israel Air Force helicopter with members of his family, the IDF reported on Saturday.
Keith Siegel enters Israeli territory
American-Israeli former hostage Keith Siegel crossed the border into Israeli territory on Saturday morning accompanied by Israeli forces, according to a joint statement from the military and the Shin Bet.
Siegel will then reunite with his family.
Ex-hostage Keith Siegel transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza
American-Israeli ex-hostage Keith Siegel was transferred to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, the military confirmed on Saturday.
Siegel subsequently boarded an Israel Air Force helicopter, which is set to take him to a hospital in Israel where he will reunite with his family.
Macron expresses ‘immense relief and joy’ at release of Ofer Kalderon
French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the release of former hostage and French-Israeli citizen Ofer Kalderon from Gaza captivity on Saturday.
“Ofer Kalderon is free! We share the immense relief and joy of his loved ones after 483 days of unimaginable hell,” Macron wrote on X/Twitter. “Our thoughts are with Ohad Yahalomi, still in the hands of Hamas, and with his family. France is doing everything it can to secure his release without delay.”
American-Israeli ex-hostage Keith Siegel handed over to Red Cross
Hamas handed American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel to the Red Cross after walking him on stage in Gaza City on Saturday.
Israel at war: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 79 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire on January 17, 2025
- 735 terrorists will be released as part of the hostage deal